Chapter 250 - Chapter 221 Towards the Lighthouse Rear
"Evenin'."
Shou-kun.
It was evening, a little past 7:30 PM, earlier than usual, but Mion was the only one in the Virtual Club Room.
Miki had finished dinner and immediately logged into IRO. She apparently intended to aim even higher in the Mage's Tower during Bell-buchou's stream.
Did you have a relaxing afternoon?
"Ah, yeah. Nat came over and we played fighting games."
After yesterday's stream, I'd told them I'd be resting this afternoon.
I thought it might be a bit odd to say I was resting but then play fighting games, but Mion didn't seem to mind at all and looked happy.
"What about you, Mion?"
Yes, I was making some short videos. Would you like to see them?
"Yeah."
Mion showed me several videos she'd compiled, featuring parts of my cooking, styled like recipe videos.
Things like Forebit and Rudish salt stew, or Parpigeon karaage…
Ah, there are plenty of clips from our streams out there, but these are for dishes I made offline, which weren't recorded.
"I think they're really good. But I guess we should have Yata-sensei look at them on Monday first, right?"
Yes.
She seemed a little nervous, but my words made her relax, and she looked very happy.
It's super cute, so I really wish she'd be this expressive in real life too…
Is something wrong?
"Ah, um… oh, right! We need new outfits!"
Ah, yes, you're right. It seems we caused a misunderstanding with the viewers on Wednesday. Um…
"Yeah. I'll go to the studio too."
From Mion's perspective, anything I choose would probably be fine, but this time I really want us to decide together.
Nat told me to aim for normal, and normally, you discuss things before deciding, right?
Yes!
So, with the goal of choosing outfits for streaming in the fields behind the church, we headed to the studio.
I had an image in mind… I thought overalls, like the ones Mashiro-nee used to wear when she was little, would be good.
"Which color is best?"
Huh? Um, whatever Shou-kun chooses is fine.
"No, I want to know what colors you like, Mion."
Even little by little, I want her to be able to assert herself normally. I won't force it, though.
Standard indigo, faded light blue for a nice touch, clean white, and so on.
Uh, um… this one?
"Roger. If it's indigo, then a white blouse or a striped hoodie on top…"
I picked out two and handed them to her.
Mion seemed confused, but when I told her to just try them on and look in the mirror, she put each on and then made a curious face.
"Ah, were both of them no good?"
No, it's not that. It's just that a blouse and a hoodie give such completely different impressions.
"Right, right. The blouse makes you look a bit more mature, and the hoodie makes you look cute."
Miki still suits stripes better, but Mashiro-nee probably suits blouses more now.
Mion looks good in either, but I want to leave that decision to her…
Can't I have both?
"Ah, yeah, that's fine. But you can't wear both at the same time, okay?"
Yes!
I think I'm too soft, even for myself, but…
It's more normal to have some interest in clothes than none at all, right?
...
...
...
"Woof!"
"Morning, Lupi."
I'd been playing with Nat during the day, and just finished picking out Mion's clothes, so it's been almost a full day, I guess?
I feel bad thinking she might have been lonely…
"Just a moment."
I started the stream and immediately saw the viewer count hit one.
Oops, it'll stay dim unless Mion puts on the lights.
Shou-kun, Lupi-chan, good evening.
"Sorry, sorry."
"Woof~"
Lupi responded to Mion, while at the same time clinging to me dramatically.
She's clinging to me more than usual, so I guess she was really waiting for me?
Lupi-chan was lonely, wasn't she?
"I guess so? My bad."
After petting her for a while, just as she finally calmed down, Sweee and the Fairies flew over.
"~~~♪"
"Morning."
I climbed down from the loft and headed towards the tavern area.
After the stream ended, the Selkies brought in the tables and chairs.
Not only that, they even cleaned up the dishes and cooking utensils after we finished eating, and even went out to catch extra Oranjack (horse mackerel) for us.
It felt like they did even more work than what they were compensated for helping with the fishing during the day.
"Lupi, wait a bit. Sweee and the others can eat this first."
This is the last of the Camlus compote, but I can always go gather more, so I'll just serve it.
Lupi and I will roast some dried Oranjack and eat that.
"Woof."
"Ah, yeah. Let's open it."
If I'm using fire, I should open the front door.
I flung it open… and the sky looked a bit iffy.
"I feel like it's going to rain soon, not immediately, but…"
Are you planning to return to the Mountain Cabin today?
"Hmm, what should I do? I could always go back after school on Monday."
Monday is usually farm work day, but I did some upkeep before and after Wednesday's stream, so it's not like I absolutely have to go back…
Shall we try going to that cave behind the Lighthouse?
"Ah, maybe that. Even if it rains, it won't matter inside there, and who knows, there might even be a good path back to the Mountain Cabin?"
It was just past 8 PM now.
Exploring for about two hours from 8:30 PM and then returning to the Mountain Cabin would be best, but even if there's nothing, I want to clear my mind.
However…
"Sweee aside, will the Fairies be okay?"
Oh!
I'm not sure if it's a good idea to take them to a really dangerous place.
I thought for a moment, flipping the dried fish as it grilled nicely.
"Well, it's best to ask them directly."
That's true.
If they decide to come, we'll go, but I'll try to avoid anything too reckless.
"Sweee, I need to ask you something."
"~~~?"
I told Sweee that Lupi and I would be heading to the back of the large passage behind the Lighthouse, opening another big door to investigate, and then asked what she and the Fairies wanted to do.
Sweee, arms crossed in a thoughtful 'hmm' manner, returned to the Fairies and seemed to be asking for their opinions…
"~~~!"
Sweee turned around, gave me a thumbs-up, and so did the Fairies behind her. It seemed they intended to come along.
I feel like the usually quiet Fairies are starting to pick up Sweee's energetic vibe, but I wonder if that's okay…
"Alright. Let's go once we've had our fill."
"Woof!"
Please don't do anything too dangerous, okay?
"Yeah."
Worst case, if things get hairy, I'll entrust the Fairies to Lupi and Sweee and have them escape first.
If that path leads to the Control Room, there's a chance Undead might appear.
Oh, right, how far has the World Quest progressed, I wonder…